Women Between Social Movements and "Orderly" Movements

The Struggle Against Gender Inequality in Housing Policies

Abstract

The fight against gender inequality in various areas is not a recent phenomenon in Brazil. In the context of housing policies, we observe some progress in proposals that prioritize women in social housing programs, such as the "Minha Casa Minha Vida" Program (PMCMV), although still in a superficial and fragmented manner. This paper aims to analyze the scenario of the right to housing policies, considering—or not—the mobilization and struggle of social movements that address political and socio-spatial disparities in housing access, distinguishing between actual social movements and what we refer to here as “orderly movements.” In other words, does the debate on gender inequality in housing policies incorporate the consolidated strategies of struggle and mobilization by women for the right to the city? To address this, we will first examine the theoretical frameworks on the challenges of housing policies in combating gender inequality. Second, we will present an overview of achievements and intersectionality within the socio-spatial housing conflicts, highlighting women’s pursuit of the right to housing at both international and national scales, noting the differences between social struggle agendas and those of "orderly" movements. Lastly, we analyze the current challenges in Brazil that remain unresolved.